We are pleased to announce that two more COVID-19 vaccination clinics have been scheduled for Wednesday, February 24th and Wednesday, March 3rd, 9:30 AM -2:30 PM.

The clinics will be held in the Kikendaasogamig Elementary School gymnasium. Our own Nawash Health Centre staff will be administering the vaccine and managing the clinic with the assistance of a nursing team from the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit. Each clinic will provide the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 150 residents. The first dose is followed up with a second “booster” shot 4 to 6 weeks later to gain the full level of immunity offered by the vaccine.

In order to distribute the limited vaccine supply most effectively, vaccinations will be administered by appointment ONLY. The Nawash Health Centre will be calling community residents to make vaccination appointments, starting with the oldest age groups first, then working down through younger age groups. Younger adults may necessarily have to wait through one or more clinics before they receive their first shot, as priority will be given to older and more vulnerable residents.

If you are a Neyaashiinigmiing resident, born before 1960, and haven’t received a phone call from the Nawash Health Centre by Monday, February 22, we may not have your contact information. Please call the Health Centre immediately at: 519-534-0373.

Residents will be pre-screened at the vaccination clinic when they arrive for their appointments, to ensure that the the COVID-19 vaccine is right for each person. Residents will be asked to provide their health card number. If you have any questions about vaccination, you can call the Nawash Health Centre and speak to one of our health staff, or bring your questions to your vaccination appointment to have them answered in person.

The COVID-19 vaccines have been tested and administered around the world. They have been proven to be safe, reliable and effective. Note that with multi-dose vaccines, receiving the first dose does not mean that you have full immunity. Immunity takes weeks to build up after receiving your first dose, and the full effectiveness of the vaccine is not realized until several weeks after receiving your second dose.

For the safety of everyone around you, and for your own health, continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols even after being vaccinated:

• Wear a mask covering your face and nose outside your home.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Stay at least 2 meters away from people you don’t live with.

These clinics will provide the first vaccine dose to 300 adults in the community. We will announce the dates of the second dose clinics for vaccinated residents in the weeks ahead.